Ghost towns of Washington: Lester

This is the first installment of a visual series exploring Washington state's numerous ghost towns. NOTE: Some images are artificially lit and may be in-camera composites.

By By JORDAN STEAD

on September 8, 2013 12:18 PM

Photo: JORDAN STEAD/SEATTLEPI.COM

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The train passes through the remains of Washington's ghost town of Lester near Stampede Pass, just south of Snoqualmie Pass on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. Founded in 1892, Lester was primarily a logging town. Its final living resident, Gertrude Murphy, 99, passed away in 2002. less

The train passes through the remains of Washington's ghost town of Lester near Stampede Pass, just south of Snoqualmie Pass on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. Founded in 1892, Lester was primarily a logging town. Its ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM

The train passes through the remains of Washington's ghost... Photo-5155767.69796 - seattlepi.com

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A thick layer of dust and scattered trash covers the kitchen of a guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester. Lester, created by the railroad, was named for a telegraph operator.

A thick layer of dust and scattered trash covers the kitchen of a guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester. Lester, created by the railroad, was named for a telegraph operator.

Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM

A thick layer of dust and scattered trash covers the kitchen of a... Photo-5155766.69796 - seattlepi.com

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An abandoned guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester. When locomotives stopped using coal, Lester lost its importance to service trains.

An abandoned guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester. When locomotives stopped using coal, Lester lost its importance to service trains.

Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM

An abandoned guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester.... Photo-5155768.69796 - seattlepi.com

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A thick layer of dust and scattered trash covers the kitchen of a guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester.

A thick layer of dust and scattered trash covers the kitchen of a guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester.

Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM

A thick layer of dust and scattered trash covers the kitchen of a... Photo-5155770.69796 - seattlepi.com

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A view of the attic in a guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester.

A view of the attic in a guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester.

Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM

A view of the attic in a guard house in Washington's ghost... Photo-5155772.69796 - seattlepi.com

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A thick layer of dust and scattered trash covers the kitchen of a guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester.

A thick layer of dust and scattered trash covers the kitchen of a guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester.

Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM

A thick layer of dust and scattered trash covers the kitchen of a... Photo-5155774.69796 - seattlepi.com

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The rear exit of the guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester.

The rear exit of the guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester.

Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM

The rear exit of the guard house in Washington's ghost town of... Photo-5155776.69796 - seattlepi.com

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A lone chair sits in a shower stall in the back of a guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester.

A lone chair sits in a shower stall in the back of a guard house in Washington's ghost town of Lester.

Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM

A lone chair sits in a shower stall in the back of a guard house in... Photo-5155778.69796 - seattlepi.com

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A heavy fog rolls in over the winding, mountainous road into Washington's ghost town of Lester.

A heavy fog rolls in over the winding, mountainous road into Washington's ghost town of Lester.